Meningitis Vaccine

Meningicoccal Disease Can Be Deadly. Vaccination Is Now Recommended.

Meningicoccal disease (meningitis) is a rare, but dangerous, bacterial infection that poses a serious threat to teenagers. The disease rate begins to rise after childhood peaking in adolescents and young adults 15-24 years of age. The disease develops rapidly, which can kill an otherwise healthy young person in 48 hours or less.

According to recent data, death rates are up to 5 times higher among 15-24 year olds when compared to Studentyounger populations. Among 1 in 5 survivors of meningitis can suffer from lifelong complications, including the loss of limbs, scarring, hearing loss, and neurological damage.

The bacteria that causes meningitis is spread through the air via sneezing, coughing, or direct contact with someone who is infected. For example, direct contact would constitute kissing or sharing a glass. Meningitis has similar symptoms to the flu such as headache, fever, stiff neck, extreme fatigue, vomiting , light sensitivity, or rash.

To protect young people, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending three specific age groups get vaccinated:

Meningitis vaccine (Menactra) will be available at the Lafayette County Health Department for children 12 to 18 years old. For now the meningitis vaccine can be obtained for an administration fee ($5) for kids 18 and under due to a special allowance through the Missouri Department of Health Immunization Program. This is a savings of $105.